Family refuses to stand for national anthem, forced to leave theatre

A family of four members was forced to leave a cinema hall after they refused to stand up when the national anthem was played just before the movie’s screening.

A video, which has gone viral both on YouTube and on microblogging site Twitter, shows some people arguing with the man who refused to stand when the national anthem was played. Some reports said the incident took place in a cinema hall in Kurla, Mumbai.

Initially, the man refused to stand up saying that he didn’t want to stand, but later changed his statement to say that he had a problem with his knee. Even as he is arguing with the rest of the audience, a woman is seen trying to pacify the agitated crowd.

“India mein rahke … national anthem baj rha…bolta main khada nahi hounga (You live in India and when the national anthem is playing you say you won’t stand up?),” a man, who was sitting in front of the family, is heard saying.

“You just leave the theatre. Come … just leave,” another one is heard saying. “Sir, main aapko achche se bol rha…please chale jayie,” someone from the crowd is heard telling the man.

The video shows the man trying to pacify the agitated crowd but to no avail. He finally leaves the cinema hall along with his family after an official of the theatre intervened and asked him to leave. In the video, people can be heard cheering and clapping when the family leaves the hall.

The movie didn’t start till the family left the hall.

What law states

From the “Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971”

Section 3: PREVENTION OF SINGING OF NATIONAL ANTHEM

“Whoever intentionally prevents the singing of the Indian National Anthem or causes disturbances to any assembly engaged in such singing shall be punished with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.”